Jonathan shines in gymnastics
By Emmy Fitri
JAKARTA (JP): There was high drama in the gymnastics stadium yesterday, as a video review of a disputed performance ultimately handed Indonesia the third of its five golds in the individual apparatus.
The brouhaha over judging unfortunately overshadowed the feat of Indonesian Jonathan Mangiring Sianturi, who won two golds despite being waylaid by injury for several months.
Afrina Suryani Siahaan was awarded 8.100 for her routine on the uneven bars, much to the dismay of the Indonesian camp and the more than 10,000 spectators in the Raden Inten Gymnastics Stadium, East Jakarta.
Afrina gasped after her score flashed on the electronic scoreboard and women's team coach, Iouri Kouznetsov, was outraged.
"It's not a fair judgment, I can't believe it," said the Russian.
But women's assistant teach coach, Ade Supriatna, was more pragmatic about the decision.
"It's a big disappointment, but we leave it up to the judges. Maybe the Indonesian judge was in the minority."
After the judges watched a replay of her performance, Afrina received a new score -- 8.125 -- to tie with Malaysia's Siew Ting Chang. Bronze went to Cintamoni Tammy de la Cruz of the Philippines.
Afrina was part of another medal tie, this time a silver, with Ninh Tran Thi Hai from Vietnam in the vault. Malaysia's Au Li Yen, 15, won the gold.
Jonathan let his flawless performances speak for themselves. Many had doubted whether he had fully recovered from a nagging right shoulder injury. He put together an enthralling floor routine to score 8.800, ahead of Thailand's Aekaraj Chankroong and Ahmad Akramin from Malaysia.
Jonathan silenced all questions about his fitness in the rings, earning a standing ovation from the crowd. He beat Amomthep Unchai of Thailand and compatriot Lulu Manurung.
"These performances were better than in Chiang Mai (the previous Games) and we are satisfied," said Indonesian gymnastics team manager Andi Darussalam, who had cried tears of joy before Jonathan received his medals.
He added that the Games were also a wake-up call for Indonesia.
"We only have one Jonathan, and he will be 27 in November, which is relatively old in gymnastics."